Spied: 2007 Dodge Sprinter

Delivering a facelift and powertrain upgrade

Falling outside of the traditional full-size van milieu, the Sprinter offers more room and, with the 10-passenger version, totes more people in comfort than any stretched conventional van. In addition, the Sprinter is offered in cargo and cab/chassis version, the latter ideal for converters. The Sprinter's vertical walls make work stations easy to fit, and the high roof and wide door ease passenger access. The truck's weakness has been its modest, yet efficient, diesel powertrain with only 153 horsepower. Dodge is expected to address this shortcoming with the midlife freshening, due winter 2006, when an inline four-cylinder engine and a V-6 diesel replace the current inline five. A taller hoodline provides the packaging for the powertrains and essential crush zone, while also giving the truck a bolder, more masculine appearance. New vertical headlamps grant the Sprinter a more modern look. The Freightliner and Dodge versions are expected to be further differentiated, with the Dodge receiving with a more dramatic crosshair grille.